Eurocopter AS532 Cougar

The Eurocopter AS532 Cougar is a twin-engine, medium-weight, multipurposehelicopter developed by

France. The AS532 is a development and upgrade of theAérospatiale Puma in its militarized form. (Its civilian
counterpart is the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma.) The AS532 has been further developed as the Eurocopter

EC725.

Role Medium Utility Helicopter

Manufacturer Eurocopter, Helibras and Turkish Aerospace Industries (under licence)[1]
First flight September 1977
Introduction 1978
Status Active in production
Primary users Turkish Air Force
French Air Force
Royal Netherlands Air Force
Produced 1977-present
Developed from Eurocopter AS332
Variants Eurocopter EC725
Design and development

he AS332 Super Puma, designed as a growth version to replace the SA 330 Puma, first flew in September
1977. It was fitted with two 1,330 kW Turbomeca Makila 1A1turboshaft engines, composite rotor blades,
improved landing gear and a modified tailfin.

In 1990 all military Super Puma designations were changed from "AS 332" to "AS 532 Cougar" to distinguish
between the civil and military variants of the helicopter.

Canada had considered purchasing the Cougar to replace their CH-113 Labrador, but opted in the end to
purchase the CH-149 Cormorant.[2]

Variants

AS532 UL/AL
The AS 532 UL/AL is the long version of the Cougar family and is powered by two Turbomeca Makila
1A1 turboshaft engines. It carries a crew of 2 and up to 29 troops or 6 injured passengers on
stretchers plus 10 others. As with the other versions of the Cougar, the AS 532 UL/AL can lift 4.5 tons
by means of a sling. The Horizon battlefield ground surveillance system can be installed on the AS 532
UL (utility version). The AS 532 AL (armed version) can also be fitted with a variety of weapons,
including pod-mounted 20 mm cannons, 68 mm rocket-launchers and side-mounted rapid fire
machine-guns.[3]
AS532 SC
 The AS 532SC is the naval version of the Cougar family and is powered by two Turbomeca Makila
1A1 turboshaft engines. This version is mainly used for Anti-surface unit warfare (ASUW), fitted with
AM 39 Exocet missiles; Anti-submarine warfare (ASW), fitted with a variable-depth sonar and
torpedoes; Search and rescue; and Sea patrols. For deck landing, securing at high sea states,
maneuver and traverse this variant can be fitted with ASIST. [3]
AS535
French Army Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR or RESCO in French) version.

Specifications (AS532 UB)

General characteristics

 Crew: 2
 Capacity: 20 troops
 Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11½ in)
 Rotor diameter: 15.6 m (51 ft 2 in)
 Height: 4.92 m (16 ft 2 in)
 Disc area: 206 m² (2,217 ft²)
 Empty weight: 4,350 kg (9,590 lb)
 Useful load: 4,650 kg (10,250 lb)
 Max. takeoff weight: 9,000 kg (19,840 lb)
 Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft, 1,185 kW (1,589 shp) each

Performance

 Never exceed speed: 278 km/h (150 knots, 173 mph)

 Maximum speed: 249 km/h (134 knots, 154 mph)
 Cruise speed: 239 km/h (129 knots, 148 mph)
 Range: 573 km (310 nm, 357 mi)
 Service ceiling: 3,450 m (11,319 ft)
 Rate of climb: 7.2 m/s (1,417 ft/min)
Makila 1A1
The Makila 1 features a very simple design, with 5 modules for easier maintenance. Its TBO (Time Between Overhaul) is
3,000 hours.

The Makila 1A1 powers the twin-engine medium-lift Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma, carrying up to 20 passengers. It
performs in specific offshore, aerial work and VIP transport civil missions. The Makila 1A1 also powers the Eurocopter AS
532 Cougar, designed for military missions and capable of carrying up to 26 persons in the AS 532 AL version. The AS 532
Cougar is particularly well suited for tactical transport missions.

Makila 2A
The Makila 2A, the latest version in the Makila family, features a new generation compressor. Its modular design facilitates
inspection and maintenance. The Makila 2A offers 14 % more power than the current Makila 1A2 and has the capability to
deliver 1,567 kW (2,101 shp) at take-off.

With a TBO (Time Between Overhaul) of 3,000 hours and millions of flight hours logged in extreme environments (North
Sea and military operations), the Makila has amply proven its performance and reliability.

Certified in July 2004, the Makila 2A powers the twin-engine Eurocopter EC 725 military helicopter, carrying 2 pilots and up
to 28 passengers. The Makila 2A also powers the EC 225 civil version of this helicopter, capable of carrying 24
passengers.